Teaching, especially in urban schools in low socioeconomic status communities, is demanding, challenging and rewarding. As we prepare our children for an economy that no longer fits with the industrial-era education system our students' education needs now encompass the academic, social and emotional.

We have to be creative, flexible and resilient educators to provide a positive learning space. A pro-social environment happens when we are practitioners of mindful teaching, which is to be in the moment and aware of ourselves, our students and the environment as we facilitate the learning process with our students. Here is research-based evidence of the effect of social and emotional literacy: Benefits of SEL. The body of research continues to grow around the impact of social and emotional literacy and practices such as mindfulness that supports the SEL skills. This is a great research journal article by Dr. Tish Jennings on the impact mindful teaching has in the classroom.

CORE COMPETENCIES of Social and Emotional Literacy are:
Self-management - Managing emotions and behaviors adaptively to achieve one's goals
Self-awareness - Recognizing one's emotions and values as well one's strengths and limitations
Social awareness - Showing understanding and empathy for others
Relationship skills - Making ethical, constructive choices about personal and social behavior
Responsible decision-making - Forming positive relationships, working in teams, dealing effectively with conflict

To develop the core SEL competencies in our students, we have to develop and model the skills ourselves.

SETTING UP A PRACTICE
A starting point is centering yourself with mindful breathing

Learn to meditate.

Setting up a mindful practice.

Meditation for pain management - NPR

Science of Mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn


MINDFULNESS IN EDUCATION AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Jon Kabat-Zinn: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Mind-Body Medicine
Infographic: Meditation in Schools Across America by Edutopia.org
Infographic: Meditation in Schools Across America by Edutopia.org


"We Found the Bones of Mindfulness" - Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio)


On a Mindful Nation - Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio)


PBS: This Emotional Life and Emotional Literacy


Dr. Marc Brackett, Developer of The RULER Approach, at TEDxGoldenGateED

Jon Kabat-Zinn: Mindfulness Stress Reduction And Healing
Dan Siegel: The Neurological Basis of Behavior, the Mind, the Brain and Human Relationships



Dan Siegel Presenting a Hand Model of the Brain


Educating the Heart and Mind - Sir Ken Robinson



Suggested reading:

Conscious Discipline by Becky Baily

Positivity by Barbara L. Fredrickson

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom by Rick Hanson

Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation by Daniel J. Siegel

http://casel.org/why-it-matters/benefits-of-sel/
http://nyimc.pmhclients.com/index.php/site/learnmeditate/